We were honored to be invited to the MK 50th Anniversary celebrations, which included a visit from HRH Prince William.HRH was in good spirits as we chatted about our involvement in his marriage to Kate and our subsequent crafting of vellum for the marriage of his younger brother Prince Harry. I’m very pleased to report that Prince William seems as keen to support ‘Heritage Crafts’ as his father Prince Charles. Suffice to say...

We are looking for someone with a lively enquiring mind who also wants to be actively involved making a traditional handcrafted material as a long term career.
Initially this is a traineeship/apprenticeship. As well as learning the essential skills and elements of parchment making (Some of which is hard physical work), you will also be mentored in the day to day operations of the business. This will include quality control, sourcing and...

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I am very happy to report that Wim has been awarded an MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours.
This award is in recognition of his commitment to the ancient craft of parchment and Vellum making, a skill now considered “critically endangered’ by the Radcliffe Red List. Having succeeded his father (who had succeeded HIS father, who had succeeded HIS father, who had succeeded HIS father), Wim has steadfastly kept the skills of parchment...

Despite the House of Commons unanimously voting to continue with the use of vellum, a small committee from the House of Lords have refused to give way. This committee, headed by Sir Paul Beresford, totalled 7 people. During their discussion 5 voted to stop using vellum, 2 voted to continue. A majority of 3.
Lets think about that. A majority of 3
The combined electorate represented by the MP’s that voted to continue with the use of vellum...

It is with great pleasure that I report, following a lengthy debate in the House of Commons, MP’s have voted overwhelmingly to continue to record Acts on vellum. This decision has secured the availability of ‘original documents’ for those generations that follow.
I would like to thank all of those that rallied to the cry, in particular Patricia Lovett MBE, James Grey MP, Sharon Hodges MP, Mark Lancaster MP, Rt Hon Matthew...

It would seem that the significance of the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta was not sufficient to convey the true value of this most ancient of materials. When the House of Commons vote they will decide whether ‘recorded history’ will be accessible to those who follow many generations into the future.
I am told that the rationale is ‘cost saving’. To that end I have calculated the cost of Magna Carta at todays prices. It...